Mertens defeated Starodubtsewa 6-1, 6-4 in Monterrey, leaning on a dominant serving performance. Mertens held all eight of her service games and converted three break points, while Starodubtsewa saved seven of ten break points she faced.
Mertens took control early, breaking in the second game (0-2) and again in the sixth (1-5) to close out the first set. The second set stayed tighter, with the only break arriving in game five before Mertens wrapped up the match 6-4.
The standout number was Mertens' first serve: she won 89% of first-serve points, firing six aces, and did not face a break point. Starodubtsewa, by contrast, finished without an ace.